September 30, 2009
Clockwise from top left: Chef Arthur Cavaliere of Parc, Mark Coates of Bebe's Barbecue, a hoagie from Paesano's, Chef Michael Solomonov of Zahav (All photos courtesy of Sandwich Smash)
Sandwich Smash hits on Sunday.
Presented by Unbreaded, the unique fundraiser is part chef demo, part interview and part epic sandwich tasting event.
Five of Philadelphia’s top chefs will make their signature sandwiches in front of a live audience. The audience will get to enjoy the chefs’ creations — in the form of a staggered five-course meal, where each course is one of the five featured sandwiches.
And as each chef is preparing their sandwich on stage in front of the audience, they will be interviewed while they cook by Esquire Food Editor Ryan D’Agostino.
The chefs will each talk about a sandwich that reflects a certain place and its people: the Philly cheesesteak; Southern BBQ; and the flavors and techniques of France, Italy and the Middle East.
The lineup of chefs and their sandwiches:
- Chef Peter McAndrews of Paesano’s in Northern Liberties / Fishtown will be preparing The Paesano Brisket Sandwich.
- Chef Arthur Cavaliere of Parc on Rittenhouse Square will be preparing a Saucisson Baguette.
- Chef Michael Solomonov of Zahav in Old City will be preparing a Tunisian-style Tuna Sandwich.
- Mark Coates of Bebe’s Barbecue in the Italian Market will be preparing a Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich.
- Rick Olivieri of Rick’s Steaks in the Bellevue will be preparing a classic Philadelphia Cheesesteak, Whiz With.
Chef Peter McAndrews of Paesano's (Photos courtesy of Sandwich Smash)
As the chefs prepare their signature sandwiches on stage, Esquire Food Editor Ryan D’Agostino will be there guiding the conversation. The discussion will draw out the backstories behind the food and allow the chefs to demonstrate the techniques that go into making a great restaurant sandwich. The audience will get to see how the chefs’ personalities can shape the food as much as the ingredients.
Tickets to the event are currently still available. But hurry, they may not be for long.
Tickets can be purchased online. They are $60 per ticket when you buy a pair. However, you can save 25% when you use discount code: UNBREADED.
Sandwich Smash
October 4th, 2009 (Eagles Bye Week!)
5-8 pm, Doors open at 4:30
Grand Ballroom at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at The Bellevue
In addition to the five-course meal, there will also be beverages from Anheuser-Busch, snack foods from Herr’s, and dessert from Capogiro.
Mark Coates and a Bebe's Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich (Photo courtesy of Sandwich Smash)
After the jump, see a few more photos that should give you a little more motivation to grab your tickets while you still can.
July 31, 2009
Photo courtesy Unbreaded
After the Phillies claimed the World Series title last year, it is hard to imagine a more compelling heater at Citizen’s Bank Park than the ones thrown from the mound. But with the newest addition to the Bank’s ever-expanding food menu, the concourse seems to exclaim: Bring It On!
This new Heater is a special cheesesteak brought to you by Campo’s, the family sandwich shop whose cheesesteaks and hoagies have been available at the Wachovia Center and Tweeter Center for years. Now that they have brought their Old City flavors to the home of the Phillies, Campo’s is bringing the heat.
And man does this sandwich live up to its name. Smothered in Jalapeno hot sauce and cheddar cheese, the Heater combines the gastro-goodness you have come to expect from Philly’s most famous sandwich, combined with a hurts-so-good hot streak you have to try for yourself. I washed mine down with a Dr. Pepper and I was sucking on the ice cubes before reaching the end of this fierce competitor that would have even Cole Hamels begging for mercy.
This is not Campo’s first celebrity sandwich. After creating a signature sandwich for the Philadelphia Flyersâ€â€a similarly interesting combination of steak, cream cheese and tomatoâ€â€the search for a name was on. Requests poured in, even becoming political with interested parties vying to become the one to name the strange concoction. The sandwich became known simply as the Ice Steak and is now served alongside the other offerings at the Wachovia Center.
Can’t afford a trip to the ballpark this week? You can head down to Campo’s Old City locationâ€â€dubbed the Home of the Heaterâ€â€and have your sandwich made by the Campo’s themselves. But be careful: this sandwich is not for the weak of heart, or tongue. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Campo’s Old City
214 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 923-1000
www.camposdeli.com
June 3, 2009
With a city as large as Philadelphia, it’s not easy trying to find the tour that suits you best. From horse and carriage rides to the modern segues, each option provides a certain flavor of Philadelphia. However, there’s only one that really provides a true taste of what we’re most proud of. I’m talking about our food! And no, not just cheesesteaks but all the culinary delights that we proudly call our own!
City Food Tours burst into the Philly scene a few years ago with the wonderful idea of not just seeing the city but tasting it! What started as a trip that sampled coffee, cheese and chocolate through Old City and Rittenhouse Square, has evolved to a growing menu of options that can satisfy any palate. Their newest creation the “Flavors of Philly Tour” is already a hit with locals and tourists.
Just imagine 2 ½ hours of indulging in tomato pie, soft pretzels, hoagies, steaks, and even warm chocolate chip cookies! Still with me, or can you already taste the grilled onions and melted cheese on your very own Philly cheesesteak? Each destination comes with the storied history of said treat, such as how the three holes in a soft pretzel represent the holy trinity, or why we call our sub the hoagie! These fun and entertaining facts go perfect with the flow of the tour as humor, history and food are all made to order.
Best yet, each business they entertain follows in the mission of the City Food tours… to support local businesses. And that is something everyone can sink their teeth into!
With enough food to make up a meal, who needs to worry about dinner plans? Don’t just see the city, taste it!
City Food Tour present Flavors of Philly Tour
www.cityfoodtours.com/philadelphia-food-tours.cfm#18
January 30, 2009
Photos by B. Krist for GPTMC
Since moving to Philadelphia two years ago, I’ve discovered that I’m officially “that guy” for my friends and family back home in New Jersey. I’m in charge of all the important stuff. Taking everyone to see the traditional historic sites, showing my friends where the best breweries are, and of course, taking the family to grab cheesesteaks.
My personal favorite, Jim’s Steaks over on South St, was voted one of the best late night eats in America by Details. The lines there are always long, and often stretch around the corner down 4th street, but you know what… it is always worth the wait. You can head over to Details’ website to read the post, which includes several other establishments across the country.
Jim’s Steaks
400 South St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 928-1911
January 20, 2009
Ever since arriving in Philly three years ago, it seems as though the cheesesteak prices have been rising. It used to be that I could snag a cheesesteak w/ fries and a soda for under six bucks. Alas, times change and prices rise — and every once in a while we are availed the privilege of affordable cheesesteaks. Now is one of those times! In celebration of President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20th, Steaks on South is bringing Philadelphia $5 cheesesteaks.
What’s that? You don’t want that silly regular American cheese? You’re what is known as a “real American”? No worries, as Steaks on South is topping their steaks for the big day with your choice of red, white or blue-colored American cheese. For a unique (and affordable!) take on a Philly tradition next Tuesday, SoS is the spot.
Steaks on South
308 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-7880
November 13, 2008
Sure, I like a cheese steak every once in a while, and Philly has many fine establishments that’ll fry you up a hardy example, but the only cheese steak that has ever lingered in my memory for taste magificence is a long closed steak shack in Rose Tree, near Media.
Another regional delight, Philadelphia roast pork sandwiches, are often more memorable, just less hyped. Having had the well known and the obscure around the Delaware Valley, I merely have to close my eyes and a cartoon scent caresses me back to the Reading Terminal Market for Tommy DiNic’s consistenly amazing roast port sandwich. Try it with the sharp provolone and either (or both!) of the greens.
Do yourself a real favor and eat right there at the counter. Corny as it sounds, my wife and I actually suggest to each other that we have a little ‘DiNic’s date’. The sandwich is the main event, and anything else we do coming and going from that counter is just… gravy!
Reading Terminal Market
12th & Arch, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 922-2317
www.readingterminalmarket.org
